best of Buck Clayton

Now this is a strong dose of Kansas City swing; twenty-two classic performances recorded during the years 1937-1946 and featuring trumpeter Wilbur Dorsey “Buck” Clayton (1911-1991). He is heard blowing his horn with the Count Basie Orchestra and Basie’s All-American Rhythm Section; the Kansas City Six and Seven; the Coleman Hawkins Quintet; Trummy Young & His Lucky Seven; Don Byas & His All Star Quintet; Teddy Wilson’s Sextet and Orchestra and a band led by Skip Hall. There are vocals by Jimmy Rushing and Helen Humes. Although Clayton is only the nominal leader on tracks 17 and 22, his was always a commanding presence in every ensemble. This tidy anthology paints a persuasive portrait that is guaranteed to please. – arwulf arwulf